price



Nov. 6,v 1934. H. w.\PR1cE R6 19,364.

- THERMosTATIc GAS CONTROL Original Filed Dec. 22. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. (i,4 1934.

H. W. PRICE I THERMOSTATIC GAS CONTROL Original Filed Dec. 22. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ranma Ns'. s, 1934v Ti-:s PATE:

1am Y manos'rs'nc oas connor.

Harold W. Price, Toronto, ntarlc.

. by mzne assignments, to

mmv, Pennsylvania origina s. issssis, mea sums No. 241.930, December 22, 1927.

March 4, 1931.

Serial .4 newed Alltlt 1. 1934, Serial v21 Claim The. principal objects of this invention are to provide a device which will automaticallv operate eiectively in the opening and closing of the supply of sas to a burner.

A further object is to devise a simple form of structure which will be very dependable in its operation, will be economical to build and will not deteriorate through use, and which may be taken apart and reassembled with ease and'accuracy.

The principal features of the invention corlist in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, whereby the gas valve is operated to open or close with a snap action through the impact of a pivotal arm thereagainst which is operated through the action of a spring which swings either side of the pivot support of said arm-through the action of a lever co-operating with a thermostatic element.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal elel vational part sectional view ci' my improved therl mostatic device.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the inain casing enclosing the gas valve, the cover being removed.

Figure 3 is a perspective detail of the adjustable balancing fulcrum for the main operating lever. v

rspective detail oi' the valve oper- Figure 4 is a pe j ating arm or iiip lever.

Figure is av cross section of the regulating member.

Referring to the accompanying'drawings.- the valve casing is formed of a rectangular frame 1 which is preferably formed open at the sides and is provided with a plurality of screw holes 2 extending in from the edges thereof into which suitable screws are inserted to secure the face plates 3 thereto. l

A boss 4 is i'orrned on one side of the frame and itis threaded internally to receive the gas supply pipe and an opening 5 extends into the casing.

A boss 6 is formed on the bottom oi' the frame adjacent toone side thereof and it is threadedV to receive the gas outlet pipe.

A recess 'l is formed at the inner side of the opening 8 and extendin'gthrough the boss 8 and the valve seat 9 is bedded therein. This valve seat is preferably formed of a soft alloy, such as a mixture of lead and tin.

A anged extension v10 is formed on the outer face of the side of the frame iipposite'toy the boss 4 and a ferrule 11 is preferably cast into the metal of the frame to extend through same and to project outwardly beyond the frame, said i'errule being preferably formed of brass and having a 55 threaded outer end 12 adapted to be inserted into Bobertahaw Yonngwood, Pa., a corn L Application for reissue No. 738.010

(ci. zas-si tion with the tank.

A boss 13 is moulded at the inner side of the top boss is provided with an of the frame 1 and this integral downwardly extending ilat lug 14. e The bou 13 is perforated longitudinally by a ed opening 15 and a countersinky 18 is formed at the outer en A cap screwl'l is threaded into the outer end of the opening 15 and the anged head thereof is sealed against a gasket arranged in the counter- A screw member 18 is threaded in the opening 15 being provided with a slot 19 in the outer endj and having a sleeveextension 20 at its inner end.

A screw .21 is threaded into an opening extending into the sleeve end of the screw 18 and a cylindrical member 22 ismounted on the head end ofl the said screw 21 anda spiral compression spring 23 is supported between the member 22 and the screw 18, said spring encircling the sleeve 20.

This device provides a spring regulating member arranged within the threaded boss with the cylindrical member 22 mounted on the screw 21 projecting beyond the inner end for a purpose as will hereinafter appear.

The screw 18 is formedwith a hole 18' extending across the head and a spiral spring 19' is ar-4 ranged therein and engages the threaded surface of the opening 15 and locks the screw from displacement through vibration particularly while the device is being handled.

A member 24 provided with a pair of parallel' arms 25 slidably engages the underside of the top section of the frame 1, the arms 25 extending either side of the boss 13 which thus forms aguide. A downwardly extending lug 26,' arranged between; the arms 25, formsthe main lever support nsl and a pair of arms 27 extend downwardly at each 100 side of said lug.

The main lever 28 is formed with a beveled ol!- 'setknife edge 29 which rests against the outer face of the lug 26 and engages the underside of the arms 27. o

I'he lever 28 which bears ona knife edge pivot extends downwardly and is formed with an oifset ngth and a right angle 30 intermediate nl its le bend 31 at the bottom. f .Aplate 32issecuredtotheupperendof the lng extends across the frame 1 adjacent to its lower end,lsaid bridge being formed with a pair 2 main lever on the side away from its knife-edge pivot and this plate is formed with a tapered re- ,cess 33 to receive the point oi!A a rod 34 bearing against the lever 28 .which rod extends into the thermostatic tube.

The thermostatic tube is a composite structure to the interior of the frame' 1 and the outer end thereof has securely soldered therein a plug 38' which ,is provided with a conical seat 39 .in which the outer rounded end o! the rod 34 rests.

The rod 34 is held in place by the pressure oi' a compression spring40 which is arranged between the flat lug 14 and the main lever 28 and maintains@ continuous pressure against the lever and said rod. l

-The outer end of the tube 35 is sealed, rst with a brass plug 41 threaded into the tube over which is placed a iilling o! litharge which is enclosed at the outer side by a brass plug 42 and the extremity of the tube is closed with a solder iiller 43. The litharge forms an effective seal to retain the oil in the tube.

The tube 35 is iilled with oil prior `to its being sealed and the volumetric expansion andcontraction oi the oil under changing temperatures increases or relieves the pressure on the corrugated tube` 36 'and the resultant movement o! the plug 38 is transmitted through the rod 34 to the main lever 28.

A bridge 44 in the form of a sheet metal stampor spaced bars 45 at one end, which bars are bent downwardly to iorm a pair of V-shaped bearings 46.

'The-bridge is secured in position, having one end inserted into the notches 4'1 formed in the inner wall of the frame and the ends of the spaced bars 45 are placed in the notches 48 on the other side of the frame. l

l A iiip lever 49 isformed of a thin piece of sheet metalbent at substantially a right angle and having knife-edge bearings 50 on either side of its upright portion adapted to bear in the V bearings 46 in the bridge`44.

The lever 4 9 is formed with a central slot 51 and the lower end oi the main lever 28 extends through the bridge 44 and slot 51 of the ilip lever.

The right angularly bent portion 3l of the main lever is provided with a notch 52 on the underside andthis notched end extends beneath the V bearing portion of the bridge 44 and swings thereunder in accordance with the movement or the thermostat rod 34.

A coil spring 53 is suspended from the upper end ofthe iiip lever 49 and is hooked into the notched end 52 of the main lever and as the said end 52 of the main lever moves to either one side` or the other of the pivot point of the lever 49 the said lever 49 is tilted with a movement accelerated by the pull of the spring and the free end of the lever moves up and down with a very sharp snap action due to the fact that the top end oi the lever 49 swings past the point of leverage simultaneous with the movement or the main lever carrying the bottom end ofA the springpast the lever iulcrum in the same direction.

. with the frame 1 form a gas tight casing.

-of 'will swing beneath A valve 54 which is formed with a part spherical face rests upon the valve seat 9 closing the entrance to the gas pipe leading from the casing.

The threa'dedustem 55 of said valve extends into a'tubular guide'56 rigidly'se'c'red to the bridge 44.

A ilanged spool 5'! is threaded on the valve stem 55 and is secured in an adjusted position by a lock nut 58 or it is preferably soldered permanently'in place.

V'.lhe free end or the. flip lever 49 extends between the iianges of the spool 57 and is preferably provided at. its end with a notch 60 which allows the extremities of the lever to' engage the flanges oi' the spool at points diametrically opposite the centre thereof. The flanges of the spool are vspaced apart so that the free end of the lever has considerable latitude 'of movement 4and acquires its accelerated movement either up `or down so that it strikes either iiange a sharp blow and moves the valve with such rapidity that an instantaneous opening or 'closing' oi' they valve ls eflected. l

The mechanism arranged within the frame 1 ls completely enclosed by the face plates 3A which The compression spring 40 maintains' a constant 'contact between the main lever andthe rod 34 andthe operating end of the -lever 28 and the spring 53 is retained 'in :constant tension holding the free' end of lthe fliplever in a position 105 either down or up'according to the position of the main lever. f1 i Y' Thete'mperature regulating operationoi the main lever is 'regulated and limited by the movement of the slidable member 24 which forms the 110 main lever bearing'contact; 'suoli-regulation being4 effected by t 'e adjustment of the cylindrical member 22 carried by` the screw 21 mounted on the adjustable screw 18 arranged in the boss 13. The coil 'spring 23`is`5-sufciently stiff to resist any pressure exerted by the thermostatic action but prevents the 4possibility oi' damage'to the. mechanism through improper adjustmentof the screw 18. ""3

In the operation' oi this device thethermostat 120 is secured in a tank, the contents oi which are to be maintained at a predetermined temperature, the threaded end of thebrass insert being screwed into the tank s o that the thermostatic tube is n immersed in the iiuidv contained in the tank.

The temperature "of thel iluid within' the tank eilects' a volumetric changev in the oil enclosed" in the tube 35 andl as'itexpands or 'contracts the pressure against the corrugated tube and the rod 34 carried thereby is 'varied so that the lever 30 v13() is swung on its pivot'so that the lower end therethe V bearings in the bridge 44 extending acrossy the "frame; This swinging'movement ol' the main lever carries the spring 53 with it in the manner described and as it`swings in either direction past -the' vertical centre line of 'support of the fii'p le'versaid lever is tilted with a sharp snap action .sothat a corresponding movement is imparted to the valve` 54 to either'open or 'close the passage leading from the 'ga's chamber within the frame; This snap action of the valveeliminates the dangers of back tiring in the burner, l

The device is entirely mechanical inv its operation. It is simple and rugged in its construction and will not be liable to get out of order'. The adjustments aresimpleand once properly made `will remain indefinitely so.' A dependable and economical form of thermostat is thus produced. l f v lo1' thermally responsive device.

stood .that I do not intendto be limited thereby,

for. my invention maybe otherwise embodied within thescope o! the appended claims.

In the drawings I have shown the control element to be actuated by the ilip lever as a valve. My invention, however,`is not limited to structures wherein the control element is a valve for it is equally applicable to structures embodying various types of control elements, for instance, in structures wherein the control element is a switch or the like.

In the drawings I have shown a particular type My invention is not to be limited thereby for various types of thermally responsive `devices may be used in structures embodying my invention, such as the ordinary rod and tube type or any of the various expansible bellows types.

What I claim as my invention isz- 1. Thermostatic fluid control mechanism comprising a lever, a thermostatic member engaging said lever, a yieldable iulcrum for said lever, a fluidv valve, an actuating lever for said valve, and extensible means extending between the-lirst named lever and the actuating lever and directly connected to both of same and exerting tension therebetween, said extensible 'means being movable across the fulcrum point of said actuating lever on movement of said rst named lever in response to thermal changes whereby said actuating lever will be rapidly swung about its fulcrum point.

2. Thermostatic iluid control mechanism comprising a lever, a thermostatic member engaging said lever, a shiftable iulcrum for said lever movable in a direction substantially parallel to the direction oi' movement ,of said thermostatic member, yieldable means engaging said fulcrum and acting to urge the lever toward said thermo-y static member. means for altering the eil'ective thrust of said yieldable means, a iluidI valve, an actuating lever for said valve, and extensible means extending between the nrst named lever and the actuating lever, and secured thereto andl exerting tension therebetween, said extensible means being movable across the Iulcrum point ofV .said actuating lever on movement ofsaid first named xlever in response to the thermal changes whereby said actuating lever will be rapidly swung about its fulcrum point.

3. A thermostatic gas control, comprising a casing. a main lever mounted within sail casing, a exibly supported pivot supporting said y main lever, a thermostatic member engaging said main lever andA holding it in contact with said ilexible support, a gas valve, a secondary lever operating said gas valve mounted on a ilxed pivot,

' and a tension spring extending between the secondary lever and the main lever 'and adapted to swing said secondary lever to either side ot its pivotal centre on the movement of the main lever. I

4. A thermostatic gas control, comprising a casing, a member slidably arranged within'said casing and forming a pivot support for the main lever` a main lever having a pivotal edge contacting with said slidable support at a iixed point relative thereto, a spring engaging the main lever, a thermostatic member engaging saici main lever in opposition to said spring, said mainlever support being slidable longitudinally of 'said thermostatmember, a spring' connected to the free end of theV main lever and arranged substantudinally of said thermostatic member.

5. A thermostatic gas control, comprisiga casing having a thermostatic member extending from one side thereof, a slidable` contact member arranged within the casing opposite the inner end o! said thermostatic member, means i'or regulating the movement of said slidable member, a lever pivotally engaging said slidable member, means extending between said leverand said thermostatic member to swing ',said lever on its pivot, spring means holding said lever in contact with the means extending from the thermostatic member, a gas valve arranged in the casing, a secondary 'lever pivotally mounted intermediate of its length having one end engaging the gas valve, and a tension spring connected to the other end ofthe secondary lever and connected to the tree end of the main lever and adapted to swing the secondary lever with a snap movement.

6. A thermostatic gas control, comprising a casing, a thermostatic element extending from one side of the casing, a lever co-operating with said thermostatic element, spring means for holding said lever in engagement with said thermostatic element, a fulcruml member for said lever mounted in said casing and slidably adjustable longitudinally oisaid thermostat element, means adjustablyv arranged in said casing for adjusting said fulcrum, a gas valve, a lever operatively connected with the gas valve, and spring means connecting the latter lever with the main lever to operate said gas valve to open or close.

1. A thermostatic gas control, comprising a rectangular-shaped i'rame open at the sides having gas inletvand outlet openings, a thermostatic member secured in one side ofsaid frame, a main lever pivotally mounted within the frame, a bridge member extending across the frame, a

'valve guided from said bridge member to close the .gas outlet, a valve-operating lever pivotally mounted at an intermediate point on said bridge -member, a tension spring connecting the valve operating lever with said main lever, and plates closing the sides of said frame.

8. Fluid control mechanism comprising a casing having inlet and outlet ports for fluid, a mem- `ber carried by said lcasing and movable in `re lever disposed within said casing and operative-'- ly associated withj'said member, a removable member -supported within -said casing, a valve for controlling one `o1' "said portsguided by said removable member, a valve actuating lever i'ulcrumed on said removable member,and an exsponse to change in physical conditions, a main `tensible connection between said leversfor swing- 1 spring connecting said main lever and the lever pivoted on said bridge and adapted to operate the latter lever upon the movement oi' the former through the medium of said'spring to raise or lower said valve with a snap action, and plates closing the open sides of said frame.

10. A thermostatic gas control, comprising an open frame having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a valve closing said gas outlet having a'threaded spindle, a spool 'adiustably mounted on said valve spindle, a bridge extending across said frame having a guide engaging said valve spindle 'in sliding contact, said bridge having an opening therethrough and depressions in the side members forming V bearing, an angularshapedlever having knife edges resting in said V bearings and the central portion extending' through the opening in said bridge, said lever having a central opening therein, a main lever pivotally mounted in the frame above said bridge and having an end extending through the openings in said bridge and in the aforesaid lever, a coil spring connected with the upper end of the levercarried by the bridge and secured to the lower end of the main lever, flexible means for supporting said pivotal main lever, a thermostatic member engaging ,said main lever. and means for closing said frame. a

` 1l. A thermostatic gas control comprising a casing having gas inlet and outletports. a valve for 4opening or closing one of said ports, a valve operating lever pivotally mounted intermediate of its length in the casing'havng one end operatively engaging said valve and having the .other end extending freely beyond said pivotal mounting toward one end of'said casing, a main lever pivotally mounted at one end in the end of the casing to ward which the valve operating lever extends, the

other end of -said main lever extending freely beyond the pivot point of said valve operating lever, a tension spring connecting the free ends of said valve operating and main levers and extending across the pivot point of the valve operating lever, said spring being' adapted by the movement of said main lever in either direction to occupy a position at either side of said valve lever pivot. and thermostatic means for actuating said main lever.

12. A thermostatic gas control comprising `a casing having gas inlet and outlet passages, a valve for opening or closing said outlet, said valve being slidably mounted and having a'pair of flanges on the stem thereof spaced apart, a valve operating lever pivotally mounted intermediate of its length in the casing having one end arranged loosely in the space between said valve flanges and having a distinct latitude of movement therebetween, said lever having the other end extending freely beyond said pivotal mounting toward one end of said casing,V a main leverA pivotally mounted at one end in the end of the casing toward which the valve operating lever extends, the other end of said main lever extending freely beyond the lpivot point of said valve operatinglever, a tension spring connecting the free ends of said valve operating and main levers and extending across the pivot point of the valve rases operating lever, said spring being adapted by the movement of said main lever in either direction to occupy. a position at either side of said valve lever pivot. and thermostatic means for actuating said main lever.

13. In a thermostatic gas control. the comblnation with a casing having inlet and outlet passages-and a valve controlling one of said passages, of a main thermostatically operated lever arranged within said casing, a secondary valveoperating lever arranged within said casing. each of said levers' having bearing points. bearing supports for said levers, and a spring operatively connecting said main and secondary levers and supporting each ofthe said levers in their assembled relation with their bearing points in pressure contact with their respective bearing' supports, said secondary lever being operated by I said spring to open said valve with a snap action.

14. In a thermostatic gas control, the combination with a casing having inlet and outlet passages and a valve controlling one of said passages, of a'bridge member removably mounted in said casing, a main lever having a knife contact bearingin said casing, a secondary'valve-operating lever having a knife bearing contact with said. removable bridge, and a coiled spring operatively connecting said main and secondary levers, said spring acting to maintain said levers and bridge p member in their assembled relation in said casing.

15. In a thermostatic gas control, the combina- Ation with a casing having inlet and outlet passages and shoulders arranged on the opposite walls of vsaid casing. of a bridge member resting at its ends on said shoulders, a gas control valve mountedvon said bridge, a bearing support, a main lever having an edge contact bearing at its upper end adapted to bear upwardly against said bearing support'and having its lower end extending below said bridge, a secondary lever having an edge contact bearing adapted to bear f downwardly against said bridge and having a portion extending above said bridge, said secondary lever operatively'engaging said valve, and a tension spring operatively connecting the lower and upper ends respectively of said main and secondary levers and extending transversely of said bridge, said spring acting'to retain said levers and bridge in their assembled relation.

16. In a thermostatic gas control, an upright casing having notches formed in the inner side walls, the upper edge of one of said notches being cut away, a bridge member extending between the side walls of said casing having its ends loosely resting in'saidnotches, a main lever, a secondary 130 valve-operating lever mounted on said bridge ad- I jacent the cut-away notch, and a spring operatively connecting said main and secondary levers and applying downward pressure to said bridge member to retain the same from upward displace- 135 ment in said cut-away notch.

17. In a control device, the combination with a casing'having inlet and outlet passages and a valve controlling one of said passages, of a main leverarranged within said casing, a secondaryuo lever arranged within said casing, each of said levers having bearing points, bearings for said levers, v.and a spring operatively connecting said main and secondary levers and at least partially supporting each of said levers vin their assembled relation with their bearingpoints in pressure contact with their respective bearings, said secondary lever being operated by said spring to open said valve with a snapV action. 18. In a control device. a multiPlynS lever havics rase-1` ing a knife edge pivot, an open bearing for said lever, a push rod for operating said lever so directed to force its pivot in said bearing in one direction, a spring engaging said lever and arranged to force said lever pivot in said bearing in a direction at an angle to the direction of the force applied by said push rod, whereby said pvot is securely held in position in said bearing, and a secondary lever pivotally mounted in said casing andv connected to said spring and arranged to be actuated by movement thereof.

19. In a thermostatic control device, a main multiplying lever having a knife lcontact fulcrum bearing, a. secondary lever having a knife contact fulcrum bearing, each lever having its free end extending generally toward the -pivot point of the other lever, linkage means, under tension, connecting said levers and extending in general alinement therewith and arranged to exert a force y tending to hold said levers in their bearings and to transmit movement from said main lever to said secondary lever, means for actuating said main lever, and control means arranged to be actuated by said secondary lever.

20. In a thermostatic control device, a main multiplying lever having a knife contact fulcrum bearing, a secondary lever having a knife contact fulcrum bearing, each lever having its free end extending generally toward the pivot point of the other lever, linkage means, under tension,

connecting said levers and extending in general l force exerted thereon by said tension means, said force tending to hold said main lever in its bear- 111g.

21. In a thermostatic control device, a. casing, a main lever having a knife-edge pivotal mounting in the casing, means for moving said lever about said pivot, a secondary lever having a knifeedge pivotal mounting in lsaid casing, each of said levers having its free end extending generally toward the pivot point oi the other, control means arranged to be actuated by said secondary lever, and tension means connecting the free ends of said levers and arranged to operate said secondary lever upon movement of said main lever to a sumcient extent to cause the tension means to move past the pivot point of said secondary lever.

, HAROLD W. PRICE.

lll 

